Elevator treadle switch construction



April 21, 1931. M. FARCH 1,802,143

ELEVATOR TREADLE SWITCH CONSTRUCTION Filed June 4, 1927 L A f i 4.3

'umm" 7 l INVENTOR.

TTORNEYS Patented Apr. 21, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MOGENS F ARCH, OF CLEVELAND HEIGHTS, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO THE W. S. TYLER (DM- PANY, F CLEVELAND, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO ELEVATOR TREADLE SWITCH CONSTRUCTION Application filed .Tune 4, 1927. Serial No. 196,573.

This invention, relating as indicated to improvements in elevator construction, more particularly refers to a novel threshold plate adapted to be positioned directly in front of an elevator enclosure opening, i. e., in line with the elevator car door, so that a person entering such car will be forced to step upon this threshold plate. An object of my invention is to provide the present threshold plate with cooperating mechanism which is positioned beneath the plate and which is affected by the downward pressure applied thereto to causethe connection of certain switch mechanism, as will appear-hereinafter.

1 Many novel uses are possible in connection with the present invention, one being that the depression of the threshold plate by a person stepping thereon causes, through the actuation of the operating mechanism, a connection in the circuit of the signaling mecha nism of the elevator car so that an automatic signal system may be provided; or such mechanism may be connected in circuit with the elevator door-operating mechanism, so that 26 whenthe doors have once been opened they may not again be closed until the weight upon such threshold plate has been relieved, as when the person standing thereon has entered the elevator car. The invention is also capaao ble of being connected to the circuit of an elevatorwherein a depressionof the threshold plate would effect the stopping of the elevator car at that point by means of making or brakingcircuit to control board for stopping of .86 elevator at floor on which said threshold ous mechanical forms in which-the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawing Fi 1 is a plan view of my improved thres old plate in use in connection with an 5 elevator enclosure; Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view through the plate as taken in the plane of the line 2-2 of Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a similar view taken in the plane of the line 33 of Fig. 1; and Fig. 4 is a detailed view in the same plane as Figs. 2 and 3 illustrating one form of contact mechanism.

In such drawing I have illustrated my improved threshold plate in connection with an ordinary type of elevator mechanism comprising a movable elevator car 10, partition walls 11 providing an entrance opening 12 to the car door 13, and one or more sliding doors 14 mounted between said car and the partition walls 11.

In the floor portion 15 of such enclosure 5 directly in front of the opening or doorway 12 I provide a vertical socket or recess 16 in which is received a threshold plate and cooperating mechanisms of this invention, said plate being designated by numeral 17 and having its outer edges shaped to conform to the configuration of recess 16. As seen in the drawing the plate 17 is made slightly smaller than the recess 16 to permit such plate to be freely movable therein in a vertical plane.

As hereinbefore stated, this invention contemplatesthe provision of mechanism which is to be operated through the depression of the threshold plate 17 to effect the connection of suitable switch mechanism provided in the circuit of the elevator signal lights, the elevator door operating mechanism, or in actual operation of elevator movements for stopping of elevator at floor where threshold plate is actuated. Positioned at each side of depression of the recess 16 in the lower portion thereof are aligned horizontal shafts 18, which latter members may be mounted in brackets 19 bolted to the sides 20 and bottom 21 of the recess 16. Secured to each of these shafts at one or more points are vertically projecting cam plates 22 having their upper ends terminating directly beneath the bottom of the threshold plate 17. The shafts 18 are so mounted as to be freely rotatable, and as seen in Fig. 3 any weight applied to the upper surface of the plate 17 will cause the cam plates to rotate about their axis in a direction to the right of said figure, and consequently revolve the shaft 18. The cam 10c plates 22 are so positioned relative to the construction of the plate 17 that they react to a load imparted in any place upon said plate. The plate 17 may be formed of non-slip material and provided at its sides and under portion with metallic reinforcements 24, the same serving as wear resisting plates for contact with the cams 22.

Also mounted upon each of the shafts 18 are vertically extending arms providing in their outer ends an aperture 26, in which is received a pin 27 These arms 25 are transversely aligned with respect to the shafts 18 and are connected by a transverse rod 28 having its ends 29 pivotally connected to the arms 25 about pins 27. It will be obvious that any movement of one of the cam plates 22' will be transferred through the rotation of its shaft 18 to all the other cam plates. Carried at one end of the rod 28 is a compression spring 30, which abuts against a shoulder 31 provided on theadjacent end of said rod and also against a collar .32 surrounding rod 28. Thecollar 32 is secured at the upper end 33 of a bracket 34 mounted upon the bottom 21 of the recess 16, the collar being so constructed as to permit sliding movement of the rod 28 therethrough. From the foregoing it will be apparent that the comi pression spring tends to rotate the arms 25 to the left in F ig. 2 and thus maintain the threshold-plate normally in a raised position. In Fig. 4 is illustrated one form of switch mechanism which may be utilized in connection with the present invention, it being understood, however, that no claim is laid to this particular structure. Secured to one of the shafts 18 to rotate therewith is a laterally extending arm 38 carrying in its upper end a contact member 39 adapted to cooperate with a second contact 40. This latter contact is mounted in an insulated block 41 secured to the bottom of the recess 16. For the sake of illustration these contacts 39 and are shown as being connected in the circuit 42 of an indicating lamp 43. In operation, as a weight is applied to the threshold plate 17 the shafts 18 are rotated through the actuations of the cam plates 22 and the arms 38 swung to bring such contacts into engagement, thus closing the circuit and causing the lamp 43 to become illuminated.

' It will be obvious from the foregoing that I have accomplished the objects primarily stated and that I have provided a novel and improved threshold plate which may be as sembled in an elevator enclosure to provide automatically operated mechanism for indicating the presence of a person waiting for an elevator at that particular point .of installation, for closing the circuit of some safety mechanism which prevents the elevator doors from being closed until the weight on such plate has been relieved, or for closing or breaking the circuit in control board of elevator and to cause the same to automatically stop at points where such threshold plates are depressed. In some forms of installations it might be desirable to extend the forward or inner edge 45 of the plate 17 to a position closely adjacent the side of the elevator car 10, in this manner extending the contact zone to the edge of such car.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention 1. The combination with an elevator enclosure comprising an opening and a door therefor, of a threshold plate mounted in a recess in the floor of said enclosure in front of said door, said plate being vertically movable, and supporting mechanism for said plate including a rock shaft actuated by the downward movement of said plate, resilient means opposed to such downward movement and a switch actuated by said rock shaft.

2. The combination with an elevator enclosure comprising an opening and a. door therefor, of a threshold plate mounted in a recess in the floor of said enclosure in front of said door, said plate being vertically movable, a rock shaft mounted beneath said plate, a cam plate secured to said shaft and engaging said plate, whereby movement of the plate is transferred to said shaft, resilient means acting against said shaft to keep said plate normally in raised position, and a switch actuated by said rock shaft.

7 3. A. threshold plate comprising a vertically movable step plate, a pair of horizontal rock shafts mounted thereunder, cam plates secured to said shafts and supporting said plate whereby movement of the plate effects the rotation of said shafts, and a compressing spring opposed to the downward movement of said plate and serving to keep said cam plates in engagement therewith.

4. A threshold plate comprising a vertically movable step plate, a pair of horizontal rock shafts mounted thereunder, cam plates secured to said shafts and supporting said plate whereby movement of the plate effects the rotation of said shafts, resilient means opposed to the downward movement of said plate and serving to keep said cam plates in engagement with said plate, and a switch actuated by the rotation of said rock shafts.

5. The combination with an elevator enclosure comprising an opening and a door therefor, of a threshold plate mounted in a recess in the floor of said enclosure in front of said door, said plate being vertically movable, supporting mechanism for said plate including a rock shaft actuated by the downwardmovement of said plate, resilient means opposed to the rotation of said rock shaft, and a switch actuated by said rock shaft.

6. A threshold plate adapted to be mounted for Vertical movement in a recess in a floor, a plurality of spaced members engaging the under side of said plate, means connecting said members, and resilient means cooperating with said last-named means to mamtain said plate normally in raised position, and switch mechanism associated with said members actuable upon the depression of said plate.

Signed by me this24th da of Ma 1927.

MOGE S FA CH. 

